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(N0 Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. HUBER.

FIRE ESCAPE. Np. 329,648. Patented Nov. 3, 1885. fi Jay-j Z ZL 3 Z Q I Q W/T/VESSES. INVENTOR 24%0/ N. PETERS. mm-mho nm. Wnshmglon. u. c

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. HUBER.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 329,648. Patented Nov. 3, 1885.

WITNESSES Ill/VENTOH N. PETERS. Pllolo-Lilhngmpher, wauun mn, n. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER HUBER, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 329,648, dated November 3, 1885.

Application filed June 30, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER HUBER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire-escapes of that class in which a sheet, net, or other suitable fabric is supported on a springcushioned frame guided on upright s'andards. so as to receive a person jumping from a window or roof of the building; and the invention consists of a fire-escape formed of upright standards that are connected by folding braces hinged to the fixed collars at the lower parts and to sliding collars at the upper parts of the standards. The upper braces form the supportingframe for the sheet or net,and are retained in extended position by suitable locking devices. The sheet or net is attached by spiral springs to the upper folding braces and their sliding collars, which latter are supported by strong spiral springs surrounding the standards. A brake device is arranged between the springs of each standard, the brake device serving for conveniently moving the fire-escape and for increasing the friction and resistance of the springs to the falling body.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved fire-escape; Fig. 2, aplan; Fig. 3, a side view of the same, showing the'same in folded position; Fig. 4, atop view of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are details of the ringshaped sliding collars of the supporting-standards, and Figs. 7 and 8 are details of the brake device; and Fig 9 is a vertical transverse section on line :0 00, Fig. 1, drawn on a larger scale, and showing the spring locking device of the braces of the netsupporting frame.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A, in the drawings, represents four upright standards, which are preferably made of gaspipe or suitable material. The standards A A are provided with rollers at their lower ends, so as to be readily removed from place to place. The standards A A are connected by folding braces B B and B B at their lower and upper ends, the lower braces, B B, being pivoted to fixed collars b b at the lower ends Serial No; 170,247. (No model.)

of the standards A A, and connected by pivots at their centers, while the upper braces, B, are pivoted to sliding collars b at the upper parts of the standards A, and are sup ported by strong spiral springs d d, placed around the standards. The upper braces, B, and collars 1) form the supporting-frame for the jumping sheet or net 0, which is attached at the corners to eyes I) of the collars b, and connected at the sides by short spiral springs a to the folding braces B, as shown in Fig. 2. The ears to which the lower braces, B, are pivoted are closed at their lower parts, while the ears to which the upper braces, B, are pivoted are closed at their upper parts, so as to form a stop for the braces when they are in an extended position. The upper braces, B, are locked together in extended position by spring-pins f, that engage socket-holes of one brace, while the springsf of the pins are attached to the other brace, as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2, and 9. a In place of the lockingpins, clampingscrews, bolts, or any other equivalent locking device, may be employed for locking the upper braces in extended position.

WVhen the apparatus is desired to be folded up, the locking devices have to be released from the upper braces, 13 B, upon which the upper and lower braces can be readily folded between the standards, as shown in Fig. 3.

On each standard are preferably arranged two spiral springs, d d, which are separated by means of a sliding collar, 6, to the ears of which is fulcrumed an elbow-lever, D, that is provided with a wooden cheek next to the standard A, so as to act as a frictionbrake whenever the outer end or handle, D, of the lever D is moved in upward direction. The handle D serves also for conveniently taking hold of the fire-escape and moving it to the place of use, as required.

The fire-escape is held in position by the handles,which are moved in upward direction at the moment when a person has jumped into the net or sheet, so as to increase thereby the friction with the standards and the resistance to the momentum of the body, whereby the too great lowering of the net is prevented, especially when the person has jumped from a great height. After use the fire escape is ICO folded up into a small space by releasing the locking devices and folding the braces toward each other, whereby the entire apparatus takes up a comparatively small space, so that it can be readily handled and carried to the place of use.

The fire-escape is intended to be used as a part of the outfit of fire departments, and to be carried on the trucks of fire-ladders to the burning building, so as to be at hand in case of danger.

Having thus described my invention. Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination of upright supportingstandards having fixed collars at the lower ends and sliding collars at their upper ends, folding braces hinged to said fixed and sliding collars, the upper folding braces being provided with locking devices, a sheet or net attached to eyes of the sliding collars, and by spiral springs to the upper braces, and spiral having friction'levers interposed between the springs, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

7 PETER HUBER.

Witnesses:

SIDNEY MANN, MARTIN PETRY. 

